Alexander Small’s Post

Tired of the "Alphabet Soup" of VC funding rounds? Join Matt Watson as he interviews Steve Wolfe, co-founder of Growth Street, a $200M+ investment firm focused on helping practical founders scale their businesses. Learn how to raise smart, strategic capital to grow your business without giving up control. This episode is packed with actionable insights for founders who want to: ➤ Build a sustainable business ➤ Raise smart money ➤ Scale their B2B SaaS company We'll discuss: ➤ Secret fundraising strategies for founders (even small raises!) ➤ Why most startups DON'T need venture capital ➤ The pros & cons of selling your business (Matt shares a BIG regret!) ➤ Founder market fit: Why it's the KEY to investment success ➤ Building a world-class team to take your startup to the next level ➤ Scaling challenges for B2B SaaS companies (and how to overcome them!) This episode is packed with actionable advice for entrepreneurs who want to build a successful, scalable business. Don't miss out! https://zurl.co/mXg1

Your Series A pitch deck CAN’T be the same as your Seed round. That’s like showing up for a marathon with sprinting shoes! Each funding stage has its own peculiarities. Its own set of rules. And you’ve GOT to play by them. → Series A, your investors want to see traction. They want proof that your idea isn’t just a ‘sparkling thought’. Show them how you’ve turned the spark into a fire. Demonstrate growth, user engagement, and revenue. Make them believe in your PRODUCT, not just your idea. → Series B is a different beast. You’ve shown traction, sure. But now, they want to see SCALABILITY. And how you plan to conquer new territories. Your pitch deck should scream potential, not just performance! → Series C and beyond? Now you’re playing in the big leagues. Your pitch deck should focus on expansion, acquisitions, and market domination. Think WORLD DOMINATION! Yes, it’s a daunting task. Shifting gears time and time again. But remember, your pitch deck is your story. And the best stories evolve. They grow. They adapt. Just like your startup. Transitioning your deck from one funding stage to another is akin to growing up. You shed the old, embrace the new. Keep the core, but adapt your narrative. That’s how you become a SERIES SUCCESS. Your narrative. Your evolution. PS. Remember, you’re not just pitching your startup. You’re pitching your journey. So, make it count!

Storytelling is not just a way to narrate your startup journey; it's a powerful tool to connect emotionally and intellectually with investors. But what happens when this storytelling crosses a line? 🤔 Remember those phrases we often hear, like "We've raised 85% of the round, and we're closing on Friday"? That's where storytelling might be tipping into FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) and scarcity tactics. 🎯 So, what should founders and investors alike be mindful of? 1️⃣ Authenticity: True stories resonate more and build trust. 2️⃣ Emotional Connection: Knowing your audience’s "hot buttons" can make your pitch unforgettable. 3️⃣ Integrity: Avoid leveraging FOMO or scarcity just to seal a deal. Long-term relationships are built on transparency and trust. So, what are your thoughts on storytelling in the entrepreneurial journey? 🚀 To those who are as passionate about startup growth as we are, we invite you to join our thriving T.A.N. community. 🌐 #TANCommunity #PhilMcSweeney #StartupStorytelling #Investing #FounderMindset #StorytellingInBusiness

Pitch Deck Wisdom: 3 Game-Changers for Startup Fundraising Success 🌟 As a seasoned consultant, I've worked with 30+ founders to secure $25M in funding.  Let's decode the three critical pitch deck mistakes you should sidestep: 🚫 Mistake 1: Information Overload! 📚 Avoid overwhelming investors with jargon and verbosity. Keep it straightforward; investors should nod in agreement, not confusion! 🤝 📜 Mistake 2: Missing Storytelling Magic! 📖 Pitch decks are more than stats; they're your startup's compelling story. Without storytelling, investors swiftly swipe right to the next big thing. ✨ 👥 Mistake 3: The Lone Ranger Syndrome! 🌐 Going solo? That's a red flag. Investors prefer seeing a team - advisors, mentors, partners. It's like having the right fleet of army on speed dial for backup. 🦸♂️ Ready to secure funding?  Drop me a DM, and let's sculpt your startup into the next success tale!  ------------------------------------------------------------- 📌 Bilal Ahmad Khalid Founder & Managing Partner Stallions Consultancy 🔔 Stay tuned for more insights and tips.  #PitchDeck #Storytelling #FundraisingSuccess

🚨 Practical tips to help founders prepare for fundraising: (Shared at yesterday's Techstars event with Keith Camhi and Allard Luchsinger) 💡 Build momentum in your fundraising process, and don't stay in the market for too long. Investors should feel they don't want to miss out on a limited-time opportunity to invest in your business. 💡 Keep good news flowing. Don't oversell your pipeline in the first meeting with an investor. Keep something exciting in your back pocket to share in your follow-up conversations. 💡 Keep it simple and focus on the next step. When you reach out to an investor, the goal is to get a meeting, not a check. After your first meeting, the goal is to get a second meeting. Share only the information and data needed to move to the next step. 💡 Your investment memo should be the basis of all your communications with investors, from a 20-second elevator pitch to intro emails and in-person meetings. Below is a list of typical investor memo elements. 💡 Here is a good story flow for your elevator pitch: For (customers) who have (this problem), we provide (this solution). 💡 Each slide of your pitch deck should have ONE clear message. Don't put multiple messages/ideas on one slide. When applicable, use strong visuals to support your message. 💡 Have drill-down decks ready for each strategic area: GTM, sales funnel, product roadmap, tech stack, finances, etc. 💡 You need to understand your financial model inside and out and be directly involved in creating it. It's best to present it in a meeting so you can answer specific questions and provide context. Your financial model is your growth story in numbers. 💡 Share access to your data room only after an investor shows a strong interest closer to the end of the process. 💡 Social proof matters. Your existing customers' references and testimonials are a powerful tool to influence investors. 💡 It's a good practice to send monthly updates to interested investors to inform them of your progress and KPIs. 🏆 Finally, investors are looking for an UNSTOPPABLE founder—someone who 100% believes in their idea and will bring it to life with or without a particular investor. More valuable resources are linked in the comments. #entrepreneurship #startups #fundraising #vc #techstars

Seed Funding VS Series A

A few months ago, we started working with a founder who was burning the candle at both ends. He was passionate about his startup but was struggling with the relentless tasks of finding, outreaching, following up, and updating investors. Every day felt like a marathon. The founder confided in me one evening, exhausted, "It's a full-time job, and I just can't keep up. I’m spending more time on this than on my actual business." That’s when we stepped in. We immediately took over the process, implementing our structured 5-step approach: ✅ Identified the right investors based on their investment thesis. ✅ Created personalized outreach strategies tailored to each investor. ✅ Followed up with a system that ensured no lead was left unattended. ✅ Managed regular updates and communication to keep investors engaged and informed. Within weeks, the change was palpable. The founder, who was once overwhelmed, found himself with 90% more time to focus on growing his business. No more sleepless nights worrying about investor follow-ups. No more juggling a million tasks. He was free to innovate, lead, and drive his startup forward. Our support didn’t just make his life easier; it positioned his startup for success. The focused outreach led to meaningful conversations and eventually secured the funding he needed. Are you a founder struggling with the endless demands of raising capital? Reach out and see how we can transform your fundraising journey, freeing up your time to do what you do best – building your business.

Don't SELL your board of directors. Don't give them just the highlight reel. Remember, your investors succeed through you. They are not in control of the outcome. They rely on you. This lack of control can make them nervous. They are always on the lookout for signals. Good and bad. When you only share the good news, they want to know what is wrong. Investors are your partners. They are in for the long haul. Yes, sometimes you are out of alignment with them. But you need to share the good, the bad and the ugly. They have seen it all before. They can help. For more tips on how to lead your company to a massive exit, join the leading newsletter for startup CEOs https://lnkd.in/gWqQBd-n

Want to learn the fundraising strategy that's helped founders raise 💰 💲 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 💲 💰 ? Join my free webinar this Thursday at 1:00 PM ET. ❌ You might have the perfect pitch deck, impressive traction, and an all-star team... But if you're not pitching to the right investors at the right time, or if your investor pipeline isn't robust enough, even the best companies can struggle to secure funding. 💡 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 ✅ : https://lnkd.in/gAEYGRq5 Here’s What We’ll Dive Into: 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐢𝐩𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 🗣 : Learn how to expand and nurture your network. It's not just about having a great pitch; it's about having enough of the right people to hear it. 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 🏁 : Timing is key in fundraising. We'll discuss how to identify and seize the right moments to approach investors for maximum impact. 𝐏𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐤 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 💡 : Get the lowdown on creating a pitch deck that not only stands out but speaks directly to investors' interests and goals. 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐞𝐭 🧠 : Delve into what investors look for in early-stage companies — scalability, market fit, and high return potential. I'll show you how to hit these notes in your pitch. 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥-𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐒𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 🥇 : Through case studies, see how successful startups have navigated early-stage investments and built strong investor relationships. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gq-ui88w #fundraisingsuccess #entrepreneurialjourney #startupstrategy #startupspotlight

I'll tell you that any Founder who wears a growth mindset mask just to close the fundraising round is in for a shock! Throughout the entire process, you will be tested like never before on: - Thinking - Execution - Preparedness - Level of urgency - Ability to Dance and Sing I could write a book on mistakes I made: - I didn't have scalable GTM - I didn't have enough traction - I didn't have a fundraising strategy - I didn't focus enough on building relationships - I didn't understand how the VC landscape works VCs might not be domain experts in your field, but they are not stupid! You cannot fake it, you are either prepared or you're not. What is the biggest challenge in your fundraising journey? If you want to learn how to grow revenue and shorten the payback time for investors Subscribe to the Bedrokk newsletter and join 400+ Investors and Founders here bit.ly/3IGO9TF and receive GTM insights every Wednesday. #startups #founders #venturecapital ___________________________________ Did you like this post? Connect or Follow Evaldas Girskus Want to see all my posts? Ring that 🔔 and Follow #thestartupguy Need Help? Book a call here bit.ly/3Qh0TTw